Protect College Students' Right to Self-Defense – Support HB 1793

Why Support:

HB 1793 prohibits public colleges and universities in New Hampshire from regulating or banning the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons (such as pepper spray or stun guns) on campus. This bill restores Second Amendment rights to law-abiding students, faculty, staff, and visitors at taxpayer-funded institutions.

Gun-free zones on campuses do not make anyone safer—they create vulnerable targets for criminals. Recent tragedies, like the shooting at Brown University, highlight how disarming responsible individuals leaves people defenseless. Law-abiding citizens should not lose their constitutional right to self-defense simply because they step onto a public campus.

Why NHFC Supports HB 1793:

• Upholds the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, consistent with New Hampshire's strong preemption laws and Article 2-a of the state constitution.
• Allows defensive tools (firearms and non-lethal options) to protect against threats, while felons and prohibited persons remain barred.
• Prevents unelected bureaucrats at universities from overriding state law and infringing on individual liberties.
• Provides legal recourse (damages and injunctive relief) if institutions violate the prohibition.